Apt Pupil

A powerful and disturbing movie, "Apt Pupil"
(adapted from a novella by Stephen King)
delivers a brilliant performance from Ian
McKellan as former Nazi SS officer Kurt
Dussander who now lives in an alcoholic haze
in the U.S. under the assumed name of Arthur
Denker. Dussander's secret is safe for more
than 40 years until 16-year-old Todd Bowden
(Brad Renfro) sees his picture in a book on
the Holocaust and later recognizes him on the
bus. Instead of exposing him, Bowden uses
his knowledge of Dussander's past to
blackmail him into sharing graphic details of
the death campts. His morbid curiosity is quite
sickening. Only a child would be sufficiently
naive as to think he could blackmail a mass
murderer and master manipulator; the rules
are soon rewritten in Dussander's favor.
McKellen endows
Dussander with a complex, multi-dimensional
personality which allows him to transform
almost instantaneously from charismatic old
man into merciless killer. This is a character
capable of profound cruelty. Quick changes of
tempo work well to maintain the tension. And
flashbacks of camp victims seen by Bowden,
apparently through Dussander's eyes, are
unsettling.
Renfro
does a great job of playing the A-student and
dutiful son who metamorphoses into
Dussander's acolyte and a menacing young
adult. "Apt Pupil" is a quietly violent movie; it's
not for sensitive viewers.
Starring Ian
McKellen, Brad Renfro, Bruce Davison and
David Schwimmer. Directed and produced by
Bryan Singer. Written by Brandon Boyce. A
TriStar release. Drama. Rated R for scenes of
strong violence, language and brief sexuality.
Running time: 112 min